Sparks fly at FCC Universal Service reform workshop

A workshop conducted by the Federal Communications Commission about Universal Service Fund (USF) reform brought together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the Commission’s proposals about transitioning today’s voice-focused USF to one focused on broadband. It’s a controversial topic -- particularly when it comes to proposals such as using a reverse auction to award funding for unserved areas to the provider of a single technology, which could be wireline, wireless or even satellite. Not surprisingly, several participants took the opportunity to dish up some provocative commentary.